On your bike or camping trip or a backwoods trail ride. There is a list of things you REALLY need with you at all times. These items will save you a lot of pain and suffering, and sometimes save your life. But as a motorcycle camper, some are not as important unless you are adventure riding off the beaten path...
1 - a good knife. I used to carry a nice pocket knife everywhere before 9/11 now you are a terrorist if you do. But my bike has a ka-bar in it's tool kit. MULE Folder. I prefer folding knives, I'm not rambo so I dont need a full military survival 9 inch monster.
2 - a GOOD multitool. Leatherman Blast. I have yet to find another brand that works as well after being wet and used in the rain. If I do I'd love to try it. A leatherman is a lifesaver all in one tool.
3 - a minimal first aid kit. some band aids big and small, some gauze in a package and a small spool of medical tape is required. I add others, in fact I now carry in my saddlebag a full field guide's first aid kit. It's nice to have a medicine chest with you.
4 - small roll of electrical tape. Small roll of duct-tape. I have used duct tape to fix a tire to make it to a shop. duct-tape on the inside of a tubeless will seal a slice long enough at low pressure to get to where you are going if you are lucky.
5 - tools to get a tire off. two good screwdrivers will do this. add them to your bikes standard toolkit. Also a way to INFLATE that tire. small hand pumps for bicycles do work well.
6 - "emergency food" such as a couple of packs of sugar gum. not sugar free, you need calories so a fat pack of juicyfruit is a good thing. each stick is 10 calories. I'd throw in a few jolly ranchers as well. something that can last a few years forgotten in a bag.
7 - my favorite is an emergency "$50" bill hidden on the bike. Fifty bucks will get you out of trouble. Even someone that does not want to be bothered to help you will help you for $50.00
8 - a GOOD super bright 1 Watt or brighter LED flashlight and a set of duracell batteries taped in a baggie outside the flashlight. you want them fresh and to stay that way. in the flashlight you might drain the batteries.
9 - if you are off the beaten path, a decent spare compass. Sorry, but that compass has a far better sense of direction than you do.
10 - some kind of firestarter in a waterproof package. Camp matches, striker, etc.. having a way to start a fire is important. I'm talking a backup not your main way of starting a fire.
This kit can be very small or huge depending on what you want with you. Some people add more items to it like parts, repair bits for camping gear, etc... It's all about how far away from civilization you will be. If you are 24 miles away from anything in the Arizona desert, you need a LOT more than the family camping in the back yard of a friends home. Error on the safe side. If you did not need it, it's still a win for you.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Interesting tent for the adventure motorcycle rider...
It always seems that Europeans get the cool new stuff first. This is the forst tent designed for Motorcyclists, specifically "adventure" motorcyclists. It's innovative design not only houses you in a nicely designed tent but it also has a vestibule large enough for your motorcycle. This keeps the bike out of view and covered so it's not all wet from the early morning dew. Another nice advantage is it gives you a place to get dressed in riding gear after the bike is pushed out of it's sleeping space.
What is Motorcycle Camping?
Some people define Motorcycle Camping as going to a state park and camping just like how they would with a car. Some consider it riding across the country and setting up camp off the road hidden from view at night. While the more adventurous consider it riding the bike up impassable trails and setting up camp in a remote location the real answer to Motorcycle Camping. It's all in what you call enjoyment. But they all encompass the same requirements. A bike, a desire, and determination. It is a LOT easier to go camping in a RV or car. You can carry 80X more things and have a inflatable apartment, or if you RV pull up your apartment building and position the Satellite dish. Motorcycle Camping requires a lot less "stuff" simply because you cant carry it. It makes you feel closer to your bike and your world. Even camping in a state park between the RV's or even in a private campground that has cabins, going minimal makes you look at things differently.
Riding across America with 2 pairs of jeans, 3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks (One wool for the cold days), and 3 pairs of underwear really makes you understand the difference between WANT and NEED. Remember, one pair of that underwear is the under-armor for cold weather riding. Nothing makes riding stink more than 100 miles of cold rain and being chilled to the bone because you did not bother to bring cold weather underwear when you left home in 102 degree temperatures. As motorcycle campers we are not there to see the campground, it's just a stop for the night.
Motorcycle Camping is about freedom and exploration. It's about not looking at the map and just riding over that way. It's about not caring and just enjoying the ride.
Riding across America with 2 pairs of jeans, 3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks (One wool for the cold days), and 3 pairs of underwear really makes you understand the difference between WANT and NEED. Remember, one pair of that underwear is the under-armor for cold weather riding. Nothing makes riding stink more than 100 miles of cold rain and being chilled to the bone because you did not bother to bring cold weather underwear when you left home in 102 degree temperatures. As motorcycle campers we are not there to see the campground, it's just a stop for the night.
Motorcycle Camping is about freedom and exploration. It's about not looking at the map and just riding over that way. It's about not caring and just enjoying the ride.
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